# Gorton announces 2026 'Be the Change' scholarship winners  
**Published:** 2026-05-06T11:22:05Z  
**Source:** City of Lexington Mayor's Office (press release, emailed to editor@lexingtonky.news)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/gorton-announces-2026-be-the-change-scholarship-winners

LEXINGTON, Ky. — [Mayor Linda Gorton announced the recipients of the 2026 "Be the Change" Scholarship Program on Wednesday morning at the Government Center Lobby](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/05/05/mayor-gorton-to-announce-2026-be-the-change-scholarship-winners/), highlighting a partnership aimed at supporting students pursuing careers in public safety and criminal justice.

[The scholarship offers individual awards of up to $10,000 for a single academic year that can be used at Kentucky colleges or universities](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/mayors-office/one-lexington/change-college-scholarship-competition). [The program targets students of color pursuing careers in fields related to criminal justice, public safety and gun violence prevention](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/05/05/mayor-gorton-to-announce-2026-be-the-change-scholarship-winners/).

One Lexington Director Devine Carama joined Mayor Gorton at the announcement, along with representatives of the Blue Grass Community Foundation, Galls, and Central Bank. [ONE Lexington, a city initiative dedicated to reducing violence in all neighborhoods, administers the scholarship program in partnership with the civic and corporate partners](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/05/05/mayor-gorton-to-announce-2026-be-the-change-scholarship-winners/).

[Awards are based on academic merit and achievements such as leadership, excellence in arts or sports, or volunteer activities benefiting the community](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/mayors-office/one-lexington/change-college-scholarship-competition). [The goal of the scholarship is to provide opportunities for students of color, while helping address racial disparities within the criminal justice system](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/05/05/mayor-gorton-to-announce-2026-be-the-change-scholarship-winners/).

[ONE Lexington works with the community to create initiatives and programs for youth and young adults that enhance safety and quality of life in neighborhoods experiencing violent crime](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/05/05/mayor-gorton-to-announce-2026-be-the-change-scholarship-winners/). [The city has reduced community violence by 60% since 2021, according to the organization's 2025 annual report](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/05/05/mayor-gorton-to-announce-2026-be-the-change-scholarship-winners/).

[The "Be the Change" scholarship was established by ONE Lexington to empower students pursuing careers in underrepresented professions and strengthen community safety and equity](https://www.bgcf.org/all-scholarships/). [Blue Grass Community Foundation, founded in 1967, connects charitable individuals, families, businesses, communities and nonprofit organizations with causes they care about to meet community needs](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/05/05/mayor-gorton-to-announce-2026-be-the-change-scholarship-winners/).

## Sources

- [Mayor Gorton announces scholarship recipients - The Lexington Times](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/05/05/mayor-gorton-to-announce-2026-be-the-change-scholarship-winners/)
- [Be The Change College Scholarship Competition - City of Lexington](https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/mayors-office/one-lexington/change-college-scholarship-competition)
- [2026 Scholarships - Blue Grass Community Foundation](https://www.bgcf.org/all-scholarships/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) from a press release emailed to editor@lexingtonky.news by City of Lexington Mayor's Office, enriched with 3 web searches.